My personal best and caught on a live eel. It's very fat and had quite a number of bite marks from other catfish!
The length was 215 cm (6.55 ft) and the weight was 85 kg (187.4 lbs). The photo was taken by Yuri Grisendi who helped me also to weight the fish.

It's also being circulated as being caught on Lake Norman, near Charlotte, North Carolina.

15-03-2004

XFM

Yep, even in sunny South Africa. You are even being credited with having caught the behemoth here in one of our local dams. Congrats anyway!

15-03-2004

MICHELLE

Someone gave me a picture of this catfish stating it was caught at Lake Leon in West Texas and that it weighed 151 lbs. I got to searching the net for catfish pictures and found out that these catfish are not catch in the USA. Someone is playing a joke, and the catfish is real, but not catch in the USA.

15-03-2004

BENNY.FRIEBERG

{moderated}

16-03-2004

NAPTIME

I received an e-mail saying that this was a new Georgia state record. They said the fish was 140 lbs and was caught in 3.5 feet of water on the Chattahoochee River.

17-03-2004

REDHEADRICK

So where was this Catfish Caught? Someone said Europe. What part of Europe?

17-03-2004

WEBMASTER

... this fish was caught (and released) in Italy (South of Europe) in the Po river.

05-04-2004

MDWEBNECK

Was glad to finally find the source (and you added some more data to the gallery entry since my last research visit). I knew it wasn't from TX because if they had caught it there would have been much better advertisement of it and we would have never heard the end of it. ;-)
I see it was caught last year, can you provide the full date? And where along the Po River? I'm not that familiar with Italy. Current MD, USA resident, former TX, USA resident.

05-04-2004

WEBMASTER

to MDWEBNECK:
Thank you for your feedback and welcome to you and to all visitors from all over the USA states (and all visitors from everywhere). This catfish was caught in Italy by Lucas (from Holland). I must ask him for more facts.

05-04-2004

LUCAS.VAN.DER.GEEST

Guys!
Reading the above made me burst in laughter.
I am Lucas van der Geest and I caught this fish in the river Po, somewhere south of the city of Mantova (Italy).
I myself live in Holland (near Amsterdam) and drive to Italy (an 18 hour drive) two or three times a year to fish for these big cats.
I caught this fish of 85 kilo a couple of days after I caught a 70 kilo cat. It is my personal best. Allthough this cat is quite a big one, I can assure you that bigger ones have been caught there (over 100 kilo). For instance by Yuri Grisendi, who happens to be an Italian friend of mine. Yuri is the chairman of the Italian Catfish Society (GSI / http://www.grupposiluro.it). I myself am the chairman of the Dutch Catfish Society (MSG / http://www.meervalstudiegroep.com). I have written three books about this catfish.
During the whole month of July I am working there as a (catfish) guide, so to all you yanks ;-) : why don't you fly to Milano? I will pick you up and after a two hour drive, you'll be fishing in Europe's most notorious catfish water!
This fish being the Texas state record is bullshit (excuse the language). I have never even been in the States and I very much doubt that this type of (cat)fish exist in the States. It's latin name is Silurus Glanis.
Hope this will clearify a lot of the nonsense told about this fish.

I was looking at all these pictures and it reminded me of a story my grandpa told me.
He said back when he was my age, which was about 1946, he was walking on a bridge over the Danube in Romania, and he said he say a huge catfish the size of a man standing up washed up on the bank.
I was wondering if the Silurus Glanis also are in the Danube around the Romanian country side.
And also, how do you fish for them, using bobbers, lures or traditional methods for catching catfish here in the states such as chiken liver and stink bait?

06-04-2004

LUCAS.VAN.DER.GEEST

Yes, there are catfish in the Danube, so your grandfather could very well have told you the truth!

I first learned of this great catch when my husband sent me a copy from work. The copy said it was caught in Illinois. The biggest catfish I ever caught was 3lbs here in Ill. I dont know what I would do if I caught one over 100lbs! I think I will be revisiting Italy soon.

16-04-2004

SPARKLE

Saw the 'fish story' on about.com and it sent me to your site for the 'real story'. That is one big fish. Just curious though why all the dates here end with 2004 on months that haven't even come yet? It is only April yet some of the dates say September etc. Just curious.

16-04-2004

WEBMASTER

Hi SPARKLE!
All dates in our site are in the european format: DD-MM-YYYY (Day-Month-Year). Your message date is 16-04-2004, month 16 doesn't exist!!!

24-04-2004

ROB.UK.PIKEMASTER

{moderated}
This is a Wels, or Danubian Catfish as they are also known. This species of catfish is present only in rivers and some lakes (by human introduction) IN EUROPE. It is completely different from the cats you have in the USA. It was almost certainly caught in the river Ebro in Spain. The record for the Ebro is around 190 - 195 pounds. Respect to the captors of this quality fish!

24-04-2004

WEBMASTER

... respect to everyone :-)
i have censored several messages from very very dumb ones (more than 50% come from very same state in USA, how bizarre). I think these visitors were quite young or really dumb ones. I don't really understand why this web site is target of hate. This web site is non political one. This web site is not anti american or anti whatever. Thousands of web sites (and forums) are dedicated to politics. Hundreds of web sites are dedicated to spread hate and also "I hate France" attitude. I'm sure that these "angry" visitors can easily find a place in the internet where they can meet others like them.
Best regards to everyone.
Webmaster

26-04-2004

BUD

Those are very impressive fish. I spent the weekend snagging paddlefish in Missouri (USA), but they are nothing compared to your Po River catfish!

27-04-2004

KRISRED01

Hello, I am from 'that' state that you keep getting ignorant emails. Not all of us are stupid hicks, which I am sure you are aware. That is a beautiful fish. I remember my grandfather taking me fishing when I was young and thinking that my five pounder was HUGE! (at least to an eight year old)

28-04-2004

WEBMASTER

to KRISRED01:
hi and welcome to our web site. happy to hear you liked the photos. we do have a lot of pleasure to catch them, and release too, after the photo souvenir! ;-)
how did you guess what 'state' i was speaking about ? ;-) i didn't say the name of this 'state' by respect to all non dummies from the very same state! do not worry, i have been travelling enough to know that 'dummies' do not have a special nationality or they are not gathered all in the very same place.
hope this is clearer for all and clarifies what is my opinion.
tight lines to all.

02-05-2004

ES

well i found this site after several people claimed the fish was a blue cat from texas on another board over here in the states. i knew it was a wels, but didnt know if i could find the stats on it, glad i could. it really is a beatiful fish. though any fish bigger then me scares me a bit. DWB, do you have the weight/length on the wels in the pic you posted? that one was also posted on this bored, again someone claimed it was a fish caught in the states, i know its a wels, but i'm curious how big it is.

02-05-2004

WEBMASTER

to ES: can tell me what is the URL of the other photo you are speaking about?

What a marvelous fish. Congratulations to Lucas. Great web site, too; entertaining, informative and an international community.
P.S. As Italy is south of Europe, Texas is south of the U.S. and north of Mexico. :-)

24-05-2004

GRUMPY

I'm a lady from Louisiana who loves to fish. A 5# blue cat on a crappie jig and pole is pretty awesome. Enjoyed the pics and the website. I may have to make a trip to Italy one day. Keep fishing...

25-05-2004

JEFF.FROM.GEORGIA

Very nice... We catch bull reds in salt water up to 40lbs from shore, but nothing like this.. Congrats on your catch.. When may I come to Italy and have you as a guide?.. Again.. VERY NICE..

25-05-2004

NIX

I guess the fact that Lucas caught the cat and not the other way around means humans are more or less still at (or near) the top of the food chain but HOLY COW that is one scary looking critter (sharks not withstanding)!!!!

06-06-2004

OLDTOWNAG

Awesome fish! I am a catfisher here in Texas and we see Blue and Flathead catfish in the 100 lbs. range quite often. The new state record is a 121 lb. Blue cat. Nothing close to the size of your Wels cats.

10-06-2004

TEXAS.AGGIE

I received the above picture in an email quoting it was a 140 lb cat caught on Lake Texoma here in Texas. In amazement and slight disbelief I searched the web and found the truth.I then edited the forward and sent it back out with the real texas and U.S. record blue cat: 121 lbs caught on a rod and reel on Lake Texoma this past January. I'm sure there are bigger there, but bass fishing is huge in Texas, more popular than catfishing. BUT I may start catfishing if I could catch some lunkers, WOW! Congrats on the huuge fish Lucas.
Also, I apologize for any of my ignorant brethren's comments. I can attest that most people in Texas are not like that.
Now let's go catch some fish!

27-06-2004

PONDSLAPPER

I would like to give credit where its do for the 121 in a half pound 60 inch blue catfish caught in lake texahoma jan.16,2004 to CODY MULLENIX.
Way to go. It really makes an angler smile to know that you would release such a monster. Thats a true sportsman. I once invited a fellow named Harlen Jordan to go deer hunting with me. All the guy wanted to bring was his camera. He told me that if he took a picture as close as an marksman can take a shot, who would argue with letting the trophy deer live.
P.S. thanx texas aggie for stating that not all texans think alike. There are a few that need to enjoy our tourists most famous, I35 north. hehehe

28-06-2004

DEPITYDAWG

hhmmmmm..... whats next... horror movies of mutated giant catfish... they did one on snakeheads, sharks, etc...

01-07-2004

BIGTIME

What I want to know is who is that burning hunk of manhood helping you hold that fish, Lucas?! Suddenly I want to leave my things behind and become a fisherwoman in Italy...
Okay - so can you eat these things? The fish not your friend :)
I know you practice catch and release, but have you ever heard of or actually tasted one? Does it taste the same as the smaller varieties?

01-07-2004

CAJUNGATOR

That is one Big Cat. My wife and I would really love to catch one of that size. We've caught some that we considered monster cats. 50-70lbs. But, this one makes them look like babies. We caught ours in South Texas and Southern Louisiana.

02-07-2004

RIO.FRIO

As I young boy, my father and I caught catfish in the shallow marsh waters along the Southwest Pass of the Mississipi utilizing trot lines. These river cats were in excess of 5 ft. long and move into the shallow waters in spring to spawn. Unfortunately this was prior to catch and release fishing and there was not the glamour of claiming records. On numerous occasions the catfish were so large that we could only carry one at a time in the piroque. I no longer live in Louisiana, but have taught my son the advantage of catch and release fishing, although we still take selected fish home for the cookpot.

03-07-2004

TINY

People are still passing that photo around as an american catfish record ... just recently as yesterday someone asked me if I'd ever caught one that big and I said nope and that ain't a US catfish or something like that and pointed um here to show where the picture originated ... you might be interested to know that one of them redneck boys edited the photo and put a nuclear power plant in the background on the most recent one I seen at http://www.hunt101.com/img/191136.jpg
hahaha I guess the story isn't big enough for them so they have to blow it up even bigger

06-07-2004

RIVER.RAT

Silucas, I want to congratulate you on catching the State record catfish of about 20 of the 50 United states. This is a mighty fine fish.
It seems that someone has copied your photo and sent it to a lot of the newspapers here in the U.S., stating that it is the new state record. This is real funny because we do not even have this species of catfish in North America.
I can not stop laughing the stories are so funny. This fish has made a mockery of the newspapers, and has proved just how gullible people really are.
Once again I congratulate you on a fine catch.

Nice fish indeed. I am curious if most or all of the persons targeting these fish practice catch and release. It would be a shame to keep a fish which is larger than the fisherman.

15-07-2004

CYRANO76

Wow, you guys rock - someday I want to catch a big fish like that - the only things I've caught are little mountain trout (6-8 inches) in Yosemite and one inedible fish about 10 inches in the aforementioned Lake Texoma (visiting relatives). No bass, but a whole mess of good perch for dinner: ){moderated}: Please use our link page for link exhanges...

25-07-2004

FERMINATOR

Nice catch! Congratulations! I got here looking for the origin of the picture. I bet Lucas never imagined his picture was going to be used as a joke around the world. I saw it at an outdoors website here in Mexico.

16-08-2004

CATMAN_033

I have been fishing for flatheads and blues my hole life. I am also a fish biologist, and I must say, I wish I could have studied this fish. Becouse I didnt and from what I have learned over 40 years in my studies leads me to believe this is a hokes. Although I wont I wont go in to detail. There is also no records of this fish ever being caught. The world record was broken by your catch but you didnt turn it in. That makes no sence!! Well if it is true congrats on the catch.

19-08-2004

TX_AG

If CATMAN_033 really was a fish biologist, therefore educated, I don't think he would have so many spelling errors. Additionally, he would probably refer to himself as a marine biologist.

28-08-2004

KAREN

Lucas, Great catch !
i live in Tennessee and the biggest catfish i ever caught was only 14 lbs hahaha altho, i seen pics of one a guy from a fishin chat here on aol caught in bama weighin 111 lbs.
i thought his was a biggun till i seen yours !
so which guy are u in this pic ?
i wished i could catch me one that big, by the way ?
what did u use for bait to catch that monster ?
u can write me back at KarenSilin@aol.com
i been curious about this pic its been all over the net and i thought it was a phony, but if ur for real then thats awesome !
Have a great day and tight lines !

04-09-2004

KY

http://xvella.online.fr/photos/photos-eng.php?item=782
How hard do these fish fight?
A 200+lbs cat caught in a float tube must be a hell of an adventure!
I studied amazon fish in Brasil for several years and was fortunate to catch a few 500lbs giants (including one that tore the bow off my boat), but never on a float tube-the thought of piranhas and huge cats lurking below will probably keep me from trying that.
Anyone know good links for learning more about these giant european cats?
By the way Lucas, congrats on catching the record catfish in Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina...

What a fish! When I first saw this pic I knew there was no way that sucker was pulled out of Lake Texoma! An old member of the Bassmasters Association, and the daughter of a frequent fisherman, that cat just didn't look anything like the fish I saw pulled out of Texoma.
I grew up in and around Oklahoma lakes, and the largest catfish (or any other fish for that matter) that I ever saw fished out of the water was as long as I was (I was about 9 years old), though I don't know how heavy. Okie Noodling-style a huge catfish which I saw, still struggling to breathe, laid out on the tail of his pick-up truck, reaching from end to end.
I refused to venture into the murky red waters of the local lake it was pulled from for the rest of the summer!

28-09-2004

DEPITYDAWG

SEEEEE, I tol ya'll they wuz gonna do a picture show on giant (oh, shucks,) them big ol' fishies... next movie out is FRANKENFISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

08-10-2004

LUG

When the photo first appeared and it was stated that it was caught in North America, I was suspicious. Take a good look at the anal fin and the caudal fin, continuous. Big cats still are isolated from one another. Take a look at the picture of the real state record taken from Lake Texoma, 121 1/2 lb.

09-10-2004

REBALGIRL25

My father works at the post office and one of his co-workers said that this pic was his family members who caught this in oklahoma!
So I got on the computer to find this pic so he can post this on his co-workers locker.
Great Job!!

09-10-2004

WEBMASTER

to REBALGIRL25, sorry to say this, but your papa's co-worker is mythomaniac ...

17-10-2004

MATT

Super catfish. Our Texas record blue cat is quite a bit smaller, but still a nice fish. I can't believe all the idiots that have written in claiming your pic is a fake. Never heard of the Wels species, but you sure have taken some nice cats out of Italy. Congratulations on a beautiful fish.

19-10-2004

DUCKHUNTR44

I believe that this a huge azz catfish! But the fact that it was caught in TX?? That is just a flat out lie!!! I do believe that the catfish was caught on an eel, one of my friends caught an 80 lb catfish in a 30 acre lake on an eel. I have read many different stories and this is the only one i believe. CONGRATS.

19-10-2004

FISHING4TROUBLE

I've only caught 2 fish in my life no matter how many times I've gone fishing. One was too small and one was a perch. My ass is jealous down to the tips of my toes!!!!

22-10-2004

PETE

Hey folks, Please stop with the illiterate typos. To recognize any type of catfish look at its body parts. Anyone with half a brain can see that a wels has an anal fin more like a giant eel than other catfish. Also some wels in the black sea, if I am correct may have measured around 16 feet long and very likely licked their chops when a fisherman came into view. As was mentioned before he is in the genus Silurus which is different than our american cats. So. Since that is the case, not to worry, he is in a different weight class like us powerlifters and don't need to compete. All in all, anything that really yanks your pole and gives you pleasure is really great!

22-10-2004

LYNN

All I have to say is "WOW" to the taller guy on the right in the pic. What a hottie. I also noticed, while looking at other pics of guys with their big fish, that it must be a pre-requisite that you be a hot guy to catch the big fish. Throw me a line!!
Congrats Lucas on the big fish.

19-11-2004

MANJUNATH

Firstly congrats to the captors of the fish, i am from south of India. I myself have caught a catfish or two, but i must say i have never seen a catfish larger than 2 feet (at my place) so i am curoius to know if there are such kind of monstrous catfish in indian rivers, cud anyone enlighten me to this quirey of mine.

13-12-2004

FAT.GORDIE

Back in '91, I was part of canoe trip that went the distance of the Danube... To the person that enquired about Danube catfish - well we didn't do any fishing but we did see a couple of local fisherman (in Serbia, then Yugoslavia) with a couple of 50 plus pound Cats (net caught) and then farther down the river (just past Belgrade) we cruised up on a big, big cat who was cruising topside. We startled it, it scared the crap out of us. It wasn't as big as this latest photo but it was still a very big fish. Ya, your Grandpappy was telling you the truth- big, big Cats in the Danube.

21-12-2004

FRANK

Lucas, You're an animal. Great fish! I caught a 26 pound blue last spring with 8# test and a light spinning rig while fishing for crappie. Took about 20 minutes to land that one so yours had to be a hoot! Great job from Houston.

19-01-2005

MRMYKE709

Nice fish, Lucas.
What did you use for bait, a baby?; )
We have a saying here in Texas...
Eat... Sleep... Go Fishing"
Words to live by.

22-01-2005

TIG

Frank, I love catchin 26 LB. blues, but I pray I never do it on one of my 12 Ft. crappie rods LOL! Lucas, very nice fish by the way, I am curious about what method you use for fish of that magnitude. Is a truot line the method of choice or a throw line, stump hook? Here in North Texas I've taken several nice cats in the 60# range with a short line in conjunction with a 2 Ft. rubber section (to avoid break offs) tied to a stump near the river channel. Usualy anywhere you have a depth of around 12 Ft. close to deeper water (25-35 Ft.) Bait of choice is usually Carp or small Pearch. Also I would like to add that I live about 35 miles south of Lake Texoma and the state record 121.5 lb. "Texoma High Fin Blue" was caught on a light rod and reel with 20 Lb. line. Pretty amazing I thought! But anyway next time you fishermen of the world are in the NE Texas area around the Sulpher River in January stop and get yourself some Crappie jigs and spend the day jerkin out 16 inch Crappie as fast as you can get em in the boat lol! Now thats Big fun in Texas
L8r tig!

26-01-2005

ML

How did you catch that fish? It seems as if it would be wiggling and writhing to get free. How do you get it to stay still to hold it? There are some amazing forms of life on this planet! Fisherpeople included.

27-01-2005

D-MAMA

I have only one question...
Why in the world would you ever kill and eat that fish, he was a monument, a "god of fish" of sorts..
he should have been kept alive and shown off!
but none the less, congrats on the catch.

03-02-2005

BALDHEADEDBILLY

Hello world. I grew up in south Louisiana, "geaux tigers"! and now live in Texas. I love to fish and target big lake cats. I had the pleasure of meeting a true urban hero. His name is Cody Mullenix, he caught splash, the world record blue cat caught on rod and reel. I saw the wonderfull creature with my own eyes, took some pictures of her and took one with the man himself. He is a quiet regular guy and is very humble. If you want to see splash, you can go to http://www.procats.com and there is a very good write up on the truth of this catch. The fish is amazing and the story is too. I walked up to Cody and said, "hi hero!". He just kinda grinned and said "man I'm just a guy that caught a big fish." I said you are a hero to the catch and release world, and you are surely a hero to splash. I agree that this website is one of sharing a passion not one to argue, so if you respond to any of these friendly guys or gals on this site, dont even think for a moment that i will even consider responding. You guys across the world from us here, more power to you and thank you for sharing your stories and pictures. I love learning about the different species of cats world wide. I've seen 80 pounders before, but splash was the biggest. God bless the world, and yourself.!!!

Hi, Lucas this time around I want to correct my first comment. I meant to say if folks respond negatively, I would not respond. So Lucas when are you going to take your trip this year? I would love to meet you, see that part of the world and try to hook one of those wels cats. If you ever get into texas make it known on your site, and I'll tell you where to go to catch some big ole blues!

22-02-2005

DONALD.DOZIER

Lucas says he practices catch and release. Since that fish is about average for the Harpeth River near Nashville, Tenn. I don't blame him for putting it back. I'd be ashamed to talk about it, too.

08-03-2005

WOLFIE

All I can say is WOW! Living in SA I have seen some cat fish which I thought was big! But nothing compared to waht I just saw on here. I came accross this article via http://www.urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_slideshow45a.htm - at 1st I didnt beleive it... but all I can say, this is one fish story I believe!

09-03-2005

CR8ZY.GIR

It truly amazes me that this started over a year ago, and after all this time it is still being passed around as a "new" item.
Lucas - this really is an awesome catch, My husband loves to take our two children fishing here in GA - to them a 5lb trout might as well be 100lbs! - Their Faces are just as ecstatic regardless of how big it is.
That being said - I can only imagine the look and overall excitement on YOUR face when you brought this big cat in - after all - aren't we all just big kids?
GREAT JOB!!

04-04-2005

FUNNYLOOKINGOWL

I have absolutely no idea how I got to this website but it is interesting stuff even though I know nothing about fishing. I was wondering... How old would a catfish this size be? Also I wouldn't condone anyone eating anything that's survived long enough to grow this big, but if one was to eat a catfish of this size, would it taste the same as a smaller catfish?

09-04-2005

SHELLCRACKER2

good god folks, THERES NO DORSAL FIN!
no cat in the states are without it! in kentucky

15-04-2005

FUNNYLOOKINGOWL

Hey, is anyone going to answer my question (see above) as to the age & taste of these catfish?

15-04-2005

WEBMASTER

to FUNNYLOOKINGOWL:for age...: i could say this fish is near 20 years oldfor taste...: too old for good tasting meatremarks...: this fish was released after capture & photos

18-04-2005

DODGERULZ

Nice catch Lucas!
To all you people still doubting the real story all you need to do is check out sites like http://www.grupposiluro.it/ and http://www.meervalstudiegroep.com/.
Also, a message to REDNECK.IN.TEXAS: Lay off dude, you're just jealous, nice catches with your 3 26 pounders, but this fish alone still weighs much more than all of yours put together!
I don't really think it's right to even compare the two, because one is a Blue and the other is a Wels, so it would be kind of like if I went and caught a Peacock bass and tried to compare it to a Smallmouth, but if you Texan's want to be that way, here's news: A cattie that size has never and will never be caught in Texas! (no offense to Texan's in general, I am talking to people like REDNECK.IN.TEXAS and the other {moderated} out there who can't admit a fact).

21-04-2005

KITTYKILLER

That is a truly awesome fish!! I would also like to say that I am embarassed by what some of the other Americans have said here, and pity their ignorance.
Kentucky, USA

26-04-2005

STRIKEKING

Life is like a coin you can spend it any way you like but you can only spend it once.

09-05-2005

ARIZONA.FISHERMAN

Hi just to let everybody know there is fish that large here in the United States. But that large of fish hangs mostly around close to the damns and eat the small quality of smaller fish.
As divers who check the drain by the damn have actaully seen them. They have been spotted in the damns by the Arizona lakes. So if anybody thinks these large fish ae fake. You are in la - la land. Wake up. This is a proven true fact.. REX

Hello and grats on the nice fish. I was wondering on what the age might be for a cat that size?

26-05-2005

WEBMASTER

20 years old

26-05-2005

PRIMETIMERG

Why does that link about the Fish in Miss. say "World Record"? It is not as big as the one on this page, right?

26-05-2005

EL.BASTARDO.LOCO

There is nothing more ignorant than a jealous redneck. First off....he is from Holland, not France. Second, it is perfectly clear it isn't a fake pic. Third, I do believe that REDNECK.IN.TEXAS has a serious {moderated} problem (you know what I mean by this), as with a few others on here. Do you speak the same as you type, Mr. REDNECK.IN.TEXAS? {moderated}

26-05-2005

WEBMASTER

to REDNECK.IN.TEXAS and EL.BASTARDO.LOCO:
- The lack of Q.I. of some commentators does not bother me much.
- The comment of REDNECK.IN.TEXAS is one of the "nicest" what we have received from "Bad Boys of Texas".
- The URL of this website ends by ".fr", and it's enough to wake up arrogance (overbearing pride) for some visitors (mainly from TX/USA).
- As I wrote before, there are hundreds of websites for "I hate frenchies" people (and for this time I accepted the message from REDNECK.IN.TEXAS instead of rejecting it).
- BTW, I'm not french (I can show my passport) and I don't hate anybody because of his/hers national background, and I have nothing against our "kind" ignorant rednecks.
- From now on, I'll be more careful and I'll reject all suspect messages...
Best regards to all!

27-05-2005

EL.BASTARDO.LOCO

I apologize for my own ignorance. I am intolorant of stupidity, but have had time to get over it by now. I will refrain from lashing out in the future.

27-05-2005

SHEBEEINKS

To Redneck.In.Texas
Are you sure you're from The States? You don't write like you are. To my American eyes your writing looks more like someone trying to "sound" American. That, or you have completly forgot everything your English teachers ever taught you.
BTW, how did you catch from 3 cats? Pole or noodlein'?

27-05-2005

WEBMASTER

http://www.briarthorn.net/ writes:This could be a Euro record. If this isn't a photoshop wonder then its probably a world record dunno, really unsure. Hard to believe this size of fish is hanging around those rivers in Europe, Germany, Italy. While England and Germany also sport some hugh pike - but they wouldn't hold a candle to this Hugh catfish that was suppose to have been caught in Italy.
This is from a foreign catfish angler's website where a man named Lucas Van Der Geest claims to have caught a 6 1/2 foot catfish weighing 187.4 pounds. It was allegedly caught in the Po River in Italy, although I have know way of substantiating this.
...>stats-eng.php?size=2&col=3&rank=1
(photos sorted by size)

27-05-2005

P.R.A.N.T.D.I.A

Webmaster, I don't think the Redneck.In.Texas is really from Texas (or the US for that matter). I agree that there is a melting pot of stupidity boiling over from Texas, but please don't post those people in hopes of showing a kinder gentler nation.
Cheers,
--people.really.are.not.that.dumb.in.america
North Carolina, USA
WEBMASTER:
Your Nickname PEOPLE.REALLY.ARE.NOT.THAT.DUMB.IN.AMERICA was too long.
I made it shorter: P.R.A.N.T.D.I.A

27-05-2005

WEBMASTER

Dear P.R.A.N.T.D.I.A, Dear all,

First point:1.a)The aim of our website is to share a passion about wels catfish fishing (nothing else).1.b) Our website is not commercial.1.c) Our website is not political.1.d) We are not anti-americans, anti-texans or anti-whatever. You can check this very easily.1.e) We don't hope showing that one nation is kinder or gentler than another (and/or otherwise).1.f) We don't hope showing that one nation is dumber than another (and/or otherwise).

Second point:2.a) All this mess about TX/US is out of topic.2.b) It happens that we receive really many hate messages (mainly based on political matters). (Please read points 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F.). I rejected all these messages. Please take a note of this; I have never ever said or written something like "people.really.are.that.dumb.in.america". 2.c) I was not careful enough when I didn't reject the message from REDNECK.IN.TEXAS. Now I do realize that this could offense both americans and non americans. I do apologize.2.d) I decide to re-read all comments for this photo 713 and I'll moderate all messages I find 'suspect' or 'not correct'.

How common is it to catch a monster like this in the Po. I saw an Amazon cat the size of a station wagon at the Milwakee (Wisconson, USA) zoo when i was ten, which was bigger than the one pictured. I can only imagine what else lies at the bottom of that river!

01-06-2005

BLAZINTR33Z

Whatever, SOUTHERNYANKER. The fish in the pic is clearly not a blue. It's not a channel. It's not a flathead. So, which species of Texas catfish looks identical to the european wels catfish?

01-06-2005

TNTGIRL

It goes to show that people will steal just about anything. I know someone who "personally knows" these anglers also. I was more than happy to find this site with a copyrighted photo attached. I am not a legal person, but I would think that in order to obtain a copyright you would need the offical photo. If this fish had come out of the Lake Texoma, which my husband fishes as often as possible, the state record would not still be listed as only a 121 lb. blue cat. Compare the size of the two fish in previous links, they are not even close to a 20 lb difference (140 vs 121). Love america, but not too proud of us at the moment.

02-06-2005

SCAREDOFFISH

Okay, I am from Texas, and yes, we have big fish down here. There is a possibility that we even have somme that big. That catfish in the picture though, is not a breed from Texas. All the cocky americans who want to argue it need to get over themselves. If you take that much offense to that, go out and try to break the record instead of fighting with someone over it.

08-06-2005

BUCKMASTER

I have cought 35 inch cat fish be for and thought they were wales ontil I got them up on to shore. I could just not enven begen to think of what kind of fite this cat would put up. That cat ways 45 more ponds than me and I would be a little skidish to get him on my line.

22-06-2005

HASREBELPRIDE

I too am from Texas and agree that we got some BIG cats here, but none that look like that if you know your fish and know the area you know that that cat never came from Texas. I think RED NECK IN TEXAS is a little boy talking all that HONKY on here to make himself look big and bad, giving people the wrong idea of us folks here in Texas. People like him need to GROW UP and be a MAN not a little BOY!!!! By the way guys congrats on your cat he a nice catch!!!!

Guys thats one huge cat, I would have loved to been there to see you two fight that monster in. Good luck in the future with your fishing and dont forget to take a child fishing with you.

12-09-2005

UCFRUGGERPINTO

Finally the truth.
Thank you for posting this site especially with the links to all the other huge catfish. I have been amazed by the site and the look of sheer joy portrayed on all the angler's faces. I believe the world record was recently set by a Mekong giant catfish of 646 lbs or 300kg in Thailand.

hello everyone i am a proud texan and am ashamed of the rude people who have posted comments here love your site and as fisherman we should be passing the love of the sport and respect of others to the future generations

17-04-2006

NOS

I am from Illinois in the United States. This is truly an amazing catch. My personal record is a 31 lb Channel. The fish in the pic resembles a channel (look at the spotting) more than a blue (as so many keep stating). I have witnessed American cats near the size of this one, but they were not caught. They lie at the base of the local dam feeding on all the fish that get sucked through the flow gates. You can view them through the windows at the base within the dam. Once again Great Job Lucas!! Thanks for sharing your catch with all of us Stateside.

Hi guys; this thread looks a little dead, but I couldn't resist a comment. This beastie definitely came from the Po in Italy and was definitely a wels cat. I've been catching them for a decade and know what they look like... It's a great fish but not the biggest I've seen from the Po. Check out these guys - they're a guiding service who operate on the Ebro in Spain. http://www.spanish-catfish-ebro.com/ These days it's very possible to get fish in excess of 200 pounds!! Bigger fish swim in the Po, but you won't beat the Ebro for numbers and average weight. I had 46 fish in 4 days fishing on the Ebro. 30 of them were over 100 pounds! Tight lines.

10-12-2006

MACKCAT

Was happy to read that Lucas returns fish to the water. Any fish old enough & able to last long enough to get this size, should be allowed to keep on growing. Wish everyone would do the same.

31-03-2007

MRCARTER468

I have the original article on this catch. The fish in the photo was killed, and dragged from the dam locks of Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It was estimated, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to be about 29yrs. old. The two men are divers, not fishermen.

31-03-2007

WEBMASTER

Hi MRCARTER468. Thank you so much for this big information. I'll forward your message to Lucas. I'm shure he didn't know that in fact he is a diver of "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers". Best regards to you and take care.

13-04-2007

VICSTRESS

So what do you boys do with these big cat fish, I hope you throw them back in, how long does it take for one of these fish to get this big?

16-05-2007

ANDY_MORRISSY

Lucas, may i say congratulations on such a wonderful cat, considering my personal best is a 42 pounder, though that was right here in England! for all those who believe that this a in fact a blue catfish i can assure you that your are worng, the tail fin and anal fin are completely different from that of a wels cat, though respectively the heads of both fish are very simular, so for a non-experience angler the mistake is a easy one to make.

29-07-2007

CHAMPAINE

Hilarious. I have had a good chuckle this afternoon reading the posts. I think the videos speak for themselves! If anyone still has doubts take a look for crying out loud. Happy fishing!

I was looking at the page of faked pictures and recognized the cat they spliced into Lucas's picture. Riley, not fat but impressively large.

I love the catfish picture! That thing is huge!

27-11-2007

KRASSI

Very very good fish, congratulations!!!

02-03-2008

VARAN619

Hi. Just leaving my footprint. I was searching the internet for photos of pterodactyls which led to sabertooth cats which led to an underwater photo of a white tiger swimming which looked cool so I searched on "big cats swimming" and came upon the catfish picture and I followed the story and here I am.

16-07-2008

JETHRO

nice fish but cath and release that much fish to eat is not an option when you love to eat one of the best tasting fish in Texas

08-08-2009

SPAZMID

Texas is a good place to catch big catfish, and it's a good place to catch a lot of catfish. We have Channel, Blue, and Flathead catfish, and many lakes with catfish in the 50-100 pound range. I like to catch my limit of Channel cats in the 4-14 pound range and fill the freezer with fillets. I "surf" cast, and use jugs and trotlines. Come on down and have some fun.

21-01-2010

CATFISHIN

My personal best was only 100lbs 16oz blue cat in the beaver lake in Arkansas. There is said to be bigger cats near the dam. Congratulations. And it is said they will introduce the Silurus Glanis to the beaver in the next year or so. Praying they do i wouldlove to catch one of them in 20 or so years.

This site presents a collection of photographs and videos of the catfish (lat.: Silurus Glanis) fishing in Europe.
The visitors can: submit fishing photos, comment photos or take part in the forum of discussion.